Assistant Financial Controller

Michael Page; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is recruiting an Assistant Financial Controller in Manchester to support day-to-day finance functions, ensuring robust controls and accurate reporting. You will work closely with the Financial Controller and CFO to drive month-end reporting, statutory compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and process improvements.

The role emphasizes stock accounting, intercompany activity, and enhancing financial systems to enable business growth within a growing retail organisation.

Qualifications

• Full accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
• 3–5 years' experience in finance or accounting
• Dynamic thinker adding value to a growing organisation
• Strong technical accounting knowledge
• Advanced Excel skills and exposure to AI tools

Responsibilities

• Assist in monthly management accounts preparation and deadlines
• Produce balance sheet reconciliations and ensure control accounts are accurate
• Focus on stock accounting, postage, tax, and intercompany accounts
• Support the preparation of annual statutory accounts and year-end audit
• Maintain and improve financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Monitor working capital: cash flow, inventory, debtors, creditors
• Review journal entries and ensure accounting standards compliance
• Support VAT and other statutory reporting requirements
• Assist with corporation tax and other compliance obligations with external advisers
• Support the annual budgeting process
• Collaborate with department managers to understand financial performance
• Provide financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions

Skills

Advanced Excel

AI exposure

Technical accounting

Dynamic thinker

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

The Assistant Financial Controller will play a key role in the day-to-day management of the finance function, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and continuous process improvement. Working closely with the Financial Controller, you will support month-end reporting, statutory compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and the development of financial systems that enable business growth.

Client Details

Are you ready for the next step in your finance career? I'm delighted to be exclusively partnered with an exciting, growing retail organisation in Manchester. As the business continues to grow, my client is looking for an ambitious Assistant Financial Controller to strengthen the finance team and help deliver accurate, timely, and insightful financial reporting. You will be reporting into a Financial Controller and have a direct line to the CFO.

Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts - working to deadlines.
• Produce balance sheet reconciliations and ensure all control accounts are accurate and fully reconciled.
• Real focus on stock accounting, postage, tax, and intercompany accounts.
• Support the preparation of annual statutory accounts and year-end audit.
• Maintain and improve financial controls, policies, and procedures.
• Monitor working capital, including cash flow, inventory, debtors, and creditors.
• Review journal entries and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
• Support VAT returns and other statutory reporting requirements.
• Assist with corporation tax and other compliance obligations alongside external advisers.
• Support the annual budgeting process.
• Work with department managers to understand financial performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide financial analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.

Profile

About You:

• Full accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
• Minimum 3-5 years' experience within finance or accounting.
• A dynamic thinker who wants to really add-value to a growing organisation.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and great exposure to AI tools.

People are at the heart of Michael Page. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.